what job rejections teach you

 So, it came. The much awaited response to a particularly anticipated job application.

The answer - a standard rejection via email. Thanks for applying but no, thanks. Please keep in touch.

There goes my dream. 

Felt my heart squeeze. This has been just a series of ghosting and rejections from all the companies I've applied to.

But here are some of the things I've learned after each rejection -

1. I don't need to tick off all the qualifications in order to apply. In the past, I would apply only if I met at least 90% of the requirements.
2. I don't need to be intimidated by the salary they are offering. The fact that they are offering a package that seems really great doesn't mean I don't deserve it or that I am not qualified for it. I am!
3. I can expand my job application. I have picked up various skills over the years. So I can take a slight detour and apply for roles that are different to the ones I've pursued in the past. 
4. Life goes on - rejections are not the end of life as we know it. So, yes, I will dust myself off and continue.

*In the meanwhile, it is okay to take a day or two to marinate in a soup of sadness and despair. Because rejections sting!

reflect and reset

I think this is the Kaveri River in southern India. We were in the train for a few days so I'm not certain.

There's nothing worse than feeling like the scum of the earth. I've been facing some hard truths about myself lately and it is not pretty. It feels like a sinking stone when you finally start to truly acknowledge your shit self. the logical side knows I need to work on those traits but the ghost of those traits are still putting up a last fight. Trying to hold on to the inner self as I know it. 

I would like to think I've always listened to myself and my voice. The fact that I didn't work on whatever conclusion I reached is a different story. What is changing is perhaps that I'm ready for some kind of inner shifting and metamorphosis. That's why it hits differently now than a few months ago when I was told the same thing by the same person. 

I will take some time to reflect and mourn my bad, pathetic self. Because that was still me.

Adapt

ADAPT

-To modify

-To adjust

             -To make suitable

Easier said than done.

Adapting takes a lot out of an average person. For young people, it is part of growing up. So what does that mean for those of us who have hit their thirties? I don't have an answer to that. All I know is I am having to learn how to adapt and it is not very pleasant. Yet, I wouldn't go so far as to say it is something to curse at for all of eternity. You get the hang of it after a couple of curses and mini meltdowns.

Then you pick yourself up as a good 'adult' does and get on with living. 

Adapting inevitably leads to tweaks in your personality. I have also invariably found myself alternating between panic and wonderment at whatever this adapting situation has brought to my life. 

A few tips on handling panic--Stop whatever you are doing that is causing you to panic-Do the thing that relaxes you most (talk to a confidant, drink tea, run, sleep, watch a movie)-Vent to a friend. Call them. If they don't pick up, leave long-winded messages.-Cry if you must

How to enjoy the state of wonderment-- Appreciate that you might not always feel this way- Call someone immediately to gush about the feeling. If they don't pick up, call someone else. Or leave a message.- Do something else you enjoy that can amplify your present state of being